Why California egg prices are skyrocketing

A farm worker collects eggs in an old-fashioned chicken house at an egg farm, on November 6, 2014 in San Diego, California.

Starting Jan. 1, eggs in California must come from chickens that live in roomier digs—a requirement that's already leading to a surge in egg prices, NPR reports.

Many current egg suppliers don't meet the new standard and therefore will not be able to sell their eggs until they adjust their chicken coops.

The impending rule affects grocery stores and consumers even as they grapple with higher meat prices. The CEO of the California Grocers Association told NPR that prices have gone up at least 35 percent and as high as 70 percent.

While California's egg price jump is especially severe, costs are rising throughout the country. BLS data showed that a dozen Grade A large eggs clocked in at an average of $2.03 in November, up from $1.92 the year before, amid increased demand.